Sound reducing airflow system for a blender system

ABSTRACT

A blender system is shown and described herein. In one aspect, the blender system includes a base with an interior and an exterior formed by a housing. The housing may include an air inlet port and an exhaust port. The interior of the base includes a motor bore forming an air pathway connecting the air inlet port to the exhaust port. The motor bore also includes an entry aperture fluidly connecting the motor bore to the air inlet port. The entry aperture is indirectly in line with the air inlet port. The exit aperture fluidly connects the motor bore to the exhaust port, and the exit aperture is indirectly in line with the exhaust port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.16/325,428 filed on Feb. 14, 2019 and entitled ““SOUND REDUCING AIRFLOWSYSTEM FOR A BLENDER SYSTEM, “which is a 35 U.S.C. 371 national stagefiling of PCT Application No. PCT/US2017/046487 filed Aug. 11, 2017, andentitled “SOUND REDUCING AIRFLOW SYSTEM FOR A BLENDER SYSTEM,” whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/376,444entitled “SOUND REDUCING AIRFLOW SYSTEM FOR A BLENDER SYSTEM,” filed onAug. 18, 2016, each of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

Loud noise in both household and commercial blenders has been an issue.Blenders may be designed for home use or for commercial use, andtypically perform a mixing function for a drink or other food. Whenutilized in businesses, such as restaurants or coffee shops, the blenderis often positioned adjacent to a serving or dining area so that thefood or drinks may be prepared as ordered. When so placed, the soundemitted by the blender can disturb or distract customers as it processesor mixes a drink.

The motor is a direct source of noise when in operation, and also is anindirect source of noise due to the vibration it creates within thebase. The vibrations created by the operating motor cause the baseitself, and other components within the base, to vibrate, therebygenerating additional noise.

Furthermore, the cooling air flowing through the blender base canamplify the loud motor sound. Cooling air is typically provided to themotor within the base to prevent overheating. This cooling air may bedrawn in through an air inlet and forced out of the base through an airexhaust. The air moving within the blender and out of the blendercontributes to the noise heard during operation of the blender.

Therefore, the need exists for addressing the root issue: reducingblender base noise within the base itself without adding additionalcomponents to the blender system. There is also a need for an improvedblender system that may decrease user perceived noise.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary of this disclosure to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects. This summary is intended to neitheridentify key or critical elements nor define any limitations ofembodiments or claims. Furthermore, this summary may provide asimplified overview of some aspects that may be described in detail inother portions of this disclosure.

The present disclosure provides for a blender base comprising a housingcomprising an air inlet aperture, a motor disposed within the housing, adiffuser disposed in the housing and comprising a diffuser apertureoperatively in fluid communication with the air inlet aperture, and afan operatively forcing air to travel through the air inlet aperture,about the diffuser, and through the diffuser aperture. It is noted thatthe aperture of the diffuser may be out of or otherwise not within aline of sight of the air inlet aperture. In another aspect, the diffusermay comprise a curved wall. The diffuser may comprise a wall comprisingat least one corner. The housing may comprise an exhaust aperture.Further, the exhaust aperture may be out of or otherwise not within aline of sight of the fan. The exhaust port may comprise a grill. Thehousing may comprise air inlet port further comprises a grill. Theblender base may comprise a fan chamber disposed in the housing, whereinthe fan is disposed within the fan chamber. The motor may operativelydrive the fan.

The present disclosure further provides a blender base comprising ahousing having an interior, an exterior, an air inlet port, and anexhaust port, a motor disposed within the housing and comprising a motorbore, a motor baffle member disposed about at least a portion of themotor, and a fan disposed in an air passageway between the air inletport and the motor. It is noted that the motor baffle member operativelydirects all air through only the motor bore and out of the exhaust port.Moreover, the air inlet port may comprise a first grill. In anotheraspect, the housing may comprise a second grill disposed within thehousing. The housing may further comprise an upper chamber and a motorchamber, wherein the upper chamber is disposed between the housing andthe motor chamber. It is noted that the fan may operatively circulateair in the upper chamber. The housing may further comprise a userinterface disposed on a first side of the housing and an air inletdisposed on a second side of the housing, wherein the second side isgenerally opposed to the first side. Moreover, the motor baffle membermay comprise a body having an aperture, the aperture operatively in aclosely fitting engagement with at least a portion of the motor.

According to another aspect, a blender system may comprise a blenderbase comprising a housing, the housing includes an air inlet port and anexhaust port, a motor disposed within the housing and comprising a motorbore, an air passageway formed between the air inlet port and theexhaust port, a motor baffle member operatively restricting the airpassageway from circumventing the motor bore; and a fan disposed the inthe air passageway between the air inlet port and the motor. The fan mayoperatively push air through the motor bore, and the fan me be out of aline of sight of the air inlet port and the exhaust port. Further, theblender system may comprise a diffuser comprising an aperture anddisposed in the housing, wherein the aperture is disposed generallyopposed to the air inlet port. In another aspect, the blender system maycomprise a fan chamber housing the fan, and the fan chamber may comprisea fan inlet operatively receiving air flow from the air inlet, whereinthe fan inlet is out of the line of site of the air inlet port.

The following description and the drawings disclose various illustrativeaspects. Some improvements and novel aspects may be expresslyidentified, while others may be apparent from the description anddrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various systems, apparatuses,devices and related methods, in which like reference characters refer tolike parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blender base including a soundreducing airflow system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a blender base including a soundreducing airflow system without a base plate;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a blender base includinga sound reducing airflow system;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a blender base including asound reducing airflow system;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a blender base includinga sound reducing airflow system;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a blender base includinga sound reducing airflow system;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a blender base includinga sound reducing airflow system;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a blender base includinga sound reducing airflow system; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a blender base includinga sound reducing airflow system; and

FIG. 10 is a partial, cross-sectional perspective view of a blender baseincluding a sound reducing airflow system;

FIG. 11 is a side, cross-sectional view of a blender base including asound reducing airflow system;

FIG. 12 is a back cross-sectional view of a blender base including asound reducing airflow system; and

FIG. 13 , is a perspective view of a motor baffle member for a blenderbase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functionalchanges may be made. Moreover, features of the various embodiments maybe combined or altered. As such, the following description is presentedby way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the variousalternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustratedembodiments. In this disclosure, numerous specific details provide athorough understanding of the subject disclosure. It should beunderstood that aspects of this disclosure may be practiced with otherembodiments not necessarily including all aspects described herein, etc.

As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” means an instance,or illustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate akey or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to beinclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As anexample, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusivepermutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C).As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended tomean “one or more” unless context suggest otherwise.

Moreover, terms “user,” “customer,” “consumer,” and the like areemployed interchangeably throughout the subject specification, unlesscontext suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction amongthe terms. It is noted that such terms may refer to human entities orautomated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., acapacity to make inference). Accordingly, embodiments or examplesdescribing actions by a user do not necessarily require human actions.

Aspects of systems, apparatuses or processes described herein generallyrelate to blender assemblies, systems, or devices and related methods.In an embodiment, the blender assembly may include a blender container.The blender container may comprise a pitcher, bowl, cup, or othergeneral shape. A blade assembly may be attached to a bottom or closedend of the blender container. In other examples, the blade assembly maybe attached to an open end of a blender container, such as in a singleserving container.

The various embodiments described herein may include other componentsand/or functionality. It is noted that while various embodiments referto a blender or a blender system, various other systems may be utilizedin view of embodiments described herein. For example, embodiments may beutilized in food processor systems, mixing systems, hand-held blendersystems, coffee grinders, spice grinders, various other food preparationsystems, non-food mixing systems, and the likes. As such, references toa blender, blender system, and the like, are understood to include foodprocessor systems, non-food mixing systems, or other mixing systems.Such systems generally include a blender base that may include a motor,a controller, display, a memory and a processor, which may executeinstructions stored in the memory. Further, such systems may include ablender container and a blade assembly. The blade assembly, the blendercontainer, and the blender base may removably or irremovably attach.Foodstuff may be added to the blender container for blending of thefoodstuff. Furthermore, while blending of “ingredients,” “food,”“contents,” or “foodstuffs” is described by various embodiments, it isnoted that non-food stuff may be mixed or blended, such as paints,epoxies, construction material (e.g., mortar, cement, etc.), and thelikes.

Moreover, blending of foodstuff or ingredients may result in a blendedproduct. Such blended products may include drinks (cold or hot),smoothies, shakes, soups, purees, or the likes. It is noted that variousother blended products may result from blending ingredients.Accordingly, terms such as “blended product” or “drink” may be usedinterchangeably unless context suggests otherwise or warrants aparticular distinction among such terms. Moreover, such terms are notintended to limit possible blended products and should be viewed asexamples of possible blended products.

While embodiments may describe a blender base having a rear side, afront side, a bottom side, or the like, it is noted that suchdescriptions are utilized for simplicity of explanation. For instance,while an air inlet is described as being disposed on a rear side, theair inlet may be disposed on a front, top, bottom, or the like. Suchdescriptive terms may be used to describe orientations depicted in thedrawings. As such, the relative terms (e.g., front, back, etc.) are notlimiting. For instance, the blender base may comprise a cylindricalshape that may not have a traditional front or rear. Accordingly,references to a front or rear may be replaced with a first side or asecond side, and the like. However, at least for the sake of brevity,these terms may be utilized in describing the drawings.

In some traditional blender systems, a blender base may include a motorthat is connected to a power source. A blade assembly and a containermay be removably or irremovably attached to the blender base. The motormay then drive or otherwise cause a blade (or other mixing portion) tomix foodstuff (e.g., rotate, chop, blend, etc.). Some systems may havespeed settings that a user may select for a blending process. Suchsystems may include a fan that draws air into the system. These systems,however, are often noisy.

In some other traditional blender systems, air is pulled through anaperture, by a fan, in the line of sight of an air intake. This mayallow noise and vibrations to escape a body or housing. These systems,likewise, may include air intakes that are disposed on a bottom or sideof housing. This may further allow noise to be passed through openingsto an ambient environment. In another aspect, some systems may usededicated passages or ports that allow air to go around portions of amotor. This may be less efficient than embodiments describe herein.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a blender base 10 comprising a motor housing 40.The blender base 10 is generally configured to support a blendercontainer (not shown) and facilitate rotation of a blending bladedisposed within the blender container. The container receives foodstufffor blending and a blender motor 42 operatively drives a blade withinthe container to blend the foodstuff.

The blender base 10 may include a housing 12. The housing 12 may be anyappropriate shape, size or configuration, such as generally rectangular,including square-shaped, or cylindrical. The housing 12 may be made ofany appropriate material, such as molded plastic or the like. Thehousing 12 may include features designed to facilitate airflow throughthe blender base 10. For example, the housing 12 may include hollowportions, ridged portions and openings, as described herein, to createpathways to direct the flow of air through the blender base 10. Airflowmay, for example, provide ambient air to operative components of theblender base 10 and may remove heated air from the operative components.This may allow the blender base 10 to cool or otherwise regulate thetemperature The housing 12 may comprise one or more chambers or cavitiesthat house various operative components. For instance, the housing 12may comprise a lower chamber 27, a motor chamber 40, and an upperchamber 29. It is noted that the housing 12 may comprise other ordifferent chambers.

The housing 12 may include one or more feet 14, as shown in FIG. 2 . Thefeet 14 may be any appropriate size or shape and may be located at anyappropriate position about the housing 12, such as disposed about abottom surface 15 of the housing 12. The feet 14 may engage a surface(e.g., a counter top) that supports the blender base 10 to stabilize andlevel the housing 12. In another aspect, the feet 14 may dampenvibrations from the housing 12. The feet 14 may be composed of anyappropriate material, such as rubber or plastic.

The housing 12 may include a base plate 16, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5-9. The base plate 16 may be any appropriate shape, size or configuration,such as rectangular, square, circular or designed to generallycorrespond to the shape of the housing 12. The base plate 16 may connectto a bottom surface 15 of the housing 12 to seal the air gap between thesurface supporting the blender base 10 (e.g., a counter) and an interiorportion of the housing 12. The base plate 16 may be positioned inside ofthe feet 14 to allow the feet 14 to directly contact the supportingsurface while still sealing any air gap.

The housing 12 may include an air inlet port 18 to receive air into theblender base 10. The inlet port 18 may be any appropriate size or shapeand may be located at any appropriate position on the housing 12. Forexample, the housing 12 may include a single inlet port 18 located at aback or rear side 19 of the housing 12. In an embodiment, the inlet port18 may be centered along a rear side 19 of a four-sided housing 12,wherein references to the four sides do not include a top and bottomportion of the housing 12. In embodiments where housing 12 may comprisea different number of sides, the air inlet port 18 may be disposedgenerally out of sight of a user, such as on an opposite side of aninterface. It is noted, however, that housing 12 may include other oradditional air inlet ports. For instance, housing 12 may include one ormore air inlet ports disposed on a bottom, front, or other side of thehousing 12.

The inlet port 18 may include one or more apertures. The aperture orapertures may be covered by a vent or grill 11 to prevent debris fromentering the blender base 10, as shown in FIG. 7 . In an embodiment,blender base 10 may include an internal or second grill 13. The inletport 18 may allow ambient air to enter the blender base 10 and coolinternal components. It is noted that, inlet port 18 may comprisemultiple apertures disposed on multiple sides of housing 12.

The housing 12 may include an air exhaust port 20 to expel air out ofthe blender base 10. The exhaust port 20 may be any appropriate size orshape and may be located at any appropriate position on the housing 12.For example, the housing 12 may include one or more exhaust port(s) 20located at a side 21 of the housing 12. In an embodiment, the exhaustport 20 may be centered along any side of the housing 12. It is notedthat the exhaust port 20 may be disposed at various locations alonghousing 12. 12. The exhaust port 20 may include one or more apertures.The aperture or apertures may be covered by a vent or grill (not shown)to prevent debris from entering the blender base 10.

The housing 12 may include an air passageway 26 for air entering thehousing 12 through the air inlet port 18. For example, air may enter afirst end 28 of the air passageway 26. The passageway 26 may be definedby a lower chamber wall 30 of the housing 12 being on one side. Thepassageway 26 may be any appropriate size or shape. In an embodiment,the passageway 26 may extend in a generally arcuate path within thehousing 12. The passageway 26 may divide and intersect at an interiorpoint within the housing 12.

The passageway 26 may extend between the first end 28 and a second end32. The first end 28 of the passageway 26 may receive air from the airinlet port 18. The air may travel a curved or tortuous path, andaccordingly, the line of sound transmission may also bend. This mayreduce sound perceivable outside of the housing. In one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 2 , the air enters through the air inlet port 18 on therear side 19 of the housing 12 and travels through the passageway 26.

The housing 12 may include the lower chamber 27 and the upper chamber29, as shown in FIG. 3 . The lower chamber 27 may comprise a diffuser 22having a diffuser aperture 24, as described in more detail herein. Thediffuser 22 and other components of the housing may form the curved pathof the passageway 26. For instance, the upper chamber 29 may be definedon the bottom by the dividing wall 38, on the top by a top plate 23, andon the sides by upper chamber side walls 25. The lower chamber 27 may bedefined on the bottom by the base plate 16 and on the top by a dividingwall 38. In an aspect, air may pass through air inlet port 18 and maycirculate about the upper chamber 29. This may, for instance, allowambient air to circulate about various operative components, such asuser interfaces (not shown), circuit boards (not shown), the motorchamber 40, or the like.

The lower chamber may comprise a fan chamber 34. The fan chamber 34 maybe any appropriate size or shape, such as generally cylindrical,rectangular, oval, circular, a complex shape, etc. and configured tohouse a fan 35. The fan chamber 34 may be located at any appropriateposition on the housing 12, such as generally centered in the lowerchamber 27. The fan chamber 34 may comprise a bottom wall 36 comprisinga first fan opening 37 and the dividing wall 38 comprising a second fanopening 39. The bottom wall 36 may be generally straight or generallycurved in shape and may create a surface around the lower perimeter ofthe fan chamber 34. The bottom wall 36 may be integrally formed with thehousing 12 or removable from the housing 12 to provide service access tothe fan chamber 34. For example, the bottom wall 36 may be connected tothe dividing wall 38 by one or more mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws,bolts, latches, etc.), chemical adhesives, or by any other connectingmeans. It is noted, however, that the bottom wall 36 may be integrallyformed with the dividing wall 38 or otherwise connected thereto.

The first fan opening 37 may be located in the bottom wall 36 to provideaccess between the lower chamber 27 and the fan chamber 34. The firstfan opening 37 may be any appropriate size or shape, such as rounded,squared, or otherwise configured to reduce resistance of the air flow,and may be located at any appropriate position in the bottom wall 36,such as centered.

The dividing wall 38 may be generally curved, concave, convex orstraight (e.g., plainer) to direct airflow along the upper perimeter ofthe fan chamber 34. The dividing wall 38 may be integrally formed withthe housing 12. The second fan opening 39 may be located in the dividingwall 38 to provide access between the fan chamber 34 and a motor housing40 located in the upper chamber 29 of the housing 12.

The dividing wall 38 may be configured to facilitate airflow between themotor housing 40 and the fan chamber 34. To that and various other ends,the dividing wall 38 may include a tapered surface proximate to thesecond fan opening 39. The tapered surface may be curved or slantedtoward or away from the fan chamber 34. The tapered surface may extendup to or into the second fan opening 39.

The motor 42 may be positioned anywhere within the motor housing 40. Themotor 42 may be any type of motor, such as an electric AC motor, astepper motor, switched reluctance motor, brushless motor, shunt motor,copper-brush motor, universal motor, induction motor or the like. Themotor 42 may include a shaft 46. The shaft 46 may be any appropriatesize or shape, such as generally cylindrical or rod-like. The motor 42may rotate the shaft 46 to facilitate rotation of other components ofthe blender base 10 (e.g., fan blades, a blade assembly, etc.). It isnoted that the blender base 10 may include a different number of motors.

The motor 42 or motor housing 40 may also include an entry aperture 48and an exit aperture 50, as shown in FIG. 3 . The entry and exitapertures 48, 50 may be on opposite ends, different sides, or on anyother appropriate places on the motor 42 or motor housing 40, such as onsides of sidewalls 41. The passageway between the entry aperture 48 andexit aperture 50 may pass through a motor bore 52 of the motor 42. Theair enters the motor housing 40 through the entry aperture 48, travelsthrough the motor bore 52, and exits the motor housing 40 through theexit aperture 50. The motor bore 52 comprises the primary path for whichair passes through the motor housing 40.

According to at least one embodiment, a motor baffle member 200 mayrestrict or direct airflow so that all or substantially all air isforced through the motor bore 52. As described here and elsewhere in thespecification, the motor baffle member 200 may generally frame (e.g.,circumvent, surround, etc.) a portion of the motor 42. For instance, atleast the motor baffle member 200 may generally seal a portion of motor42 so as to prevent air flow exiting the motor housing 40 other thanthrough the motor bore 52. It is noted that this may increase efficiencyof temperature management within the blender base 10 when compared toother systems, such as systems have alternative paths that route air.

As described herein, the air may pass through the blender base 10 in away so the sound bends, thereby reducing perceptible sound. In anexample, the air may exit the exit aperture 50 and enter an exhaustchannel 54. The distal end of the exhaust channel 54 may connect to theexhaust port 20, whereby air can exit the blender base 10 and enter theenvironment. In this process, the air passes in a way to eliminate theline of sound transmissions between the fan 35 and the exit aperture 50,thereby both, reducing sound, and cooling the motor 42.

The fan 35 may be connected to the shaft 46, such as at a distal end ofthe shaft 46. The fan 35 may be positioned within the fan chamber 34.The fan 35 may be rotated by the motor 42 to facilitate air flow throughthe blender base 10, thereby cooling the motor 42 and other relatedcomponents. The fan may be positioned within the fan chamber 34 to abuta portion of the bottom wall 36 that may be tapered.

A shaft coupler 47 may be connected to the shaft 46, shown in FIG. 3 .The shaft coupler 47 may be connected at any appropriate position alongthe shaft 46, such as at an end of the shaft 46 opposite the fan 35. Theshaft coupler 47 may be connectable to a blade assembly of a blendercontainer (both not shown). For example, the shaft coupler 47 mayinclude an opening to receive or otherwise connect to the blade assemblyof a blender container. The shaft coupler 47 may be driven by the shaft46 to rotate the blade assembly of the blender container, therebyfacilitating rotation of the blender blade.

The blender base 10 may include a control panel (not shown). The controlpanel may allow a user to selectively control the motor 42, such asturning the motor 42 on and off and selecting motor speeds. The controlpanel may include a display, on/off switch, speed controls, and othercontrols necessary to control the motor functions.

In operation, a user may turn on the blender base 10 to initiaterotation of the motor 42. The motor 42 may rotate the shaft 46, which inturn may rotate the shaft coupler 47 and the fan 35. The fan 35 may drawair into the blender base 10, such as through the inlet port 18. Air mayflow through the interior of the housing 12 via the air passageway 26,around the diffuser 22, and into the lower chamber 27 via the diffuseraperture 24. The fan 35 may circulate the air out of the lower chamber27 through the first fan opening 37 and into the fan chamber 34. The airmay then exit the fan chamber 34 by way of the second fan opening 39,and the air may enter the motor housing 40. The air may cool the motor42 and motor related components. The air may cycle through the motor 42via entry aperture 48, through the motor bore 52, and exit via the exitaperture 50. The air may then circulate out of the housing 12 throughthe exhaust channel 54 and ultimately out the exhaust port 20. It isnote that one or more of these apertures may be small, controlledopenings to provide minimal disturbance to the inner workings of theblender, e.g., the fan 35, the motor 42, etc. The air is controlled andthe apertures and pathways provide a tortuous path that encouragesbending of the sound line, which thereby decreases the noise caused byair circulation. As a result of this, the perceptible sound levels fromairflow noise can be reduced by, for example, at least 10 dB as measuredoutside of the blender base 10.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate blender base 10 where the fan chamber 34 may act asa diffuser. For instance, FIGS. 6-9 illustrate blender base 10 without aseparate diffuser (e.g., diffuser 22 of FIGS. 1-5 ). As shown in FIG. 7, for example, air passageway 26 enters the blender base through airinlet port 18, which may include grill 11. The air passageway 25 maycontinue through the second grill 13, and then through fan opening 37.Fan chamber 34 extends downwards from the motor housing 40 so that airinlet port 18 may be generally higher or above the first fan opening 37.Moreover, the air passageway 26 bends around the fan chamber 34, whichmay be curved or tapered.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-12 , there is a blender system 100 that directsairflow to control heat dissipation in accordance with various disclosedaspects. Blender system 100 may include blender base 162. The blenderbase 162 may include a housing 112 that houses a motor 142 and otheroperative components of the blender base 162. In another aspect, thehousing 112 may comprise a pedestal 160 that operatively receives and/orsupports a blender container (not shown). It is noted that blendersystem 100 may include all or some of the components and/orfunctionality as described with reference to blender base 10 and variousother disclosed embodiments. Moreover, like-named components maycomprise similar features unless context suggests otherwise or warrantsa particular distinction among such terms.

Housing 112 may comprise a shell or body that supports and/or housesvarious components. The housing 112 may comprise plastic, metal, orother appropriate materials. Housing 112 may include an inlet apertureor port 118. The inlet port 118 may comprise various sizes or shapes,and may be disposed at appropriate locations about the housing 112. Forexample, the inlet port 118 may be disposed at a rear side 119. The rearside 119 may be a side that is generally not directed towards a user. Asshown in FIG. 11 , the rear side 119 may be generally opposite a frontside 162 that may comprise a user interface 164. As such, the inlet port118 may be generally directed away from a user. The inlet port 118 maybe at least partially surrounded or protected by a hood 113 thatprotrudes from the housing 112 to prevent spilled foodstuff fromentering or clogging a grill 111. It is noted, however, that the inletport 118 may be disposed at various other locations, such as at a bottomside 166.

A fan 135 may be driven by an axle or shaft 146. It is noted that theshaft may be driven by a motor 142 that may drive a blade assembly (notshown), and/or by a separate motor. The fan 135 may draw or forceairflow 102 to pass through the housing 112. In an example, airflow 102may be pulled from an external environment through the inlet port 111. Adiffuser 122 may be disposed proximal the inlet port 111. The diffuser122 may comprise a wall that may comprise steps, a tapered surface, orthe like. The diffuser 122 may direct airflow 102 between a bottom plate116 and the diffuser 122. The airflow 102 may then be pulled into a fanchamber 134 through a fan inlet 137.

The airflow 102 may be force through a fan inlet 137 and directedthrough a motor bore 152 to alter (e.g., reduce, control, etc.) thetemperature of a motor 142 or other operative components of the blendersystem 100. For example, cooler air from an external environment mayforce warmer air from proximal the motor 142, to one or more exhaustports 120. The airflow 102 may force air through a passageway defined bya motor housing 140 and the housing 112.

The motor bore 152 may comprise the primary path for airflow 102. In anaspect, the blender base 152 may be structured so that airflow 102passing proximal the motor 142 is prevented from traveling around themotor bore 152. In an aspect, the blender base 152 may not contain anyalternate pathways that direct airflow 102 from circumventing the motorbore 152.

As shown in the figures, a motor baffle member 200 may generallycomprise a body 202 of an appropriate shape and configuration. The body202 may comprise an aperture 204 having a perimeter 206. The perimeter206 may be positioned about a portion of motor 142, including motorcoils 153. It is noted that the body 202 and the perimeter 206 may beshaped to generally restrict airflow 102 such that it is forced throughthe motor bore 152. According to embodiments, all or generally allairflow 102 may be forced through the motor bore 152. As describedherein, the fan 135 may force the airflow 102 through the motor bore 152by pushing or puling the airflow 102. As such, while embodiments maydescribe airflow 102 being pushed or pulled in a particular direction,other embodiments may operatively force airflow in an oppositedirection.

It is noted that the body 202 may be monolithically formed or formed ofone or more pieces and then attached together to form the body 202. Forinstance, body 202 may comprise a first portion 210 and a second portion212. According to an example, the first portion 210 and the secondportion 212 may be positioned about the motor 142 and may then beattached at a joint 214. This may allow for a closely fitting engagementbetween the motor baffle member 200 and the motor 142.

In another aspect, a gasket 220 may be operatively positioned betweenmotor baffle member 200 and fan chamber 134. The gasket 220 may dampenor prevent transfer of vibrations between the motor baffle member 200 tothe fan chamber 134, which may reduce the overall noise occurring duringoperation of the blending system. In another aspect, the gasket 220 maygenerally seal the fan chamber 134 from other portions of the housing112 such that airflow 102 is forced through the aperture 204 of themotor baffle member 200.

In embodiments, the fan 135 may force airflow 102 through the aperture204 and motor bore 152 so that it exits the motor bore 152 proximalcoils 153. This may, for instance, force air away from the coils 153 todissipate heat therefrom. It is noted, however, that embodiments mayutilize other types of motors that may not comprise coils 153.

Further, in some embodiments the flow of air may be opposite of what isdescribed above. In these embodiments, the baffle member 200 may allowall or generally all of the airflow 102 may be forced from the motorbore 152 out the aperture 204.

While the exhaust ports 120 are illustrated on sides 121 and 123 of thehousing 112, it is noted that system 100 may include other or differentexhaust ports. For instance, the system may include a different numberof exhaust ports and/or exhaust ports located in various otherpositions. As shown, the exhaust ports 120 may be positioned such thatfoodstuff that may spill from a container is not likely to enter theexhaust ports 120.

It is noted that the various apertures may be formed or disposedorthogonally or at an angle other than ninety degrees with respect tothe various surfaces at which they are located. In another aspect, thevarious apertures may comprise rounded edges, squared edges, anglededges or the like.

What has been described above includes examples of the presentspecification. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the present specification, but one of ordinary skill in theart may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of thepresent specification are possible. Accordingly, the presentspecification is intended to embrace all such alterations, modificationsand variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used ineither the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended tobe inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A blender base, comprising: a housing comprisingan air inlet aperture; a motor disposed within a motor bore in thehousing; a diffuser disposed in the housing and comprising a diffuseraperture operatively in fluid communication with the air inlet aperture;a fan operatively forcing air to travel in a path from the air inletaperture, about the diffuser, and then through the diffuser aperture;and a motor baffle member positioned about at least a portion of themotor, wherein the motor baffle member restricts airflow, forcing airthrough the motor bore, wherein the diffuser aperture is out of a lineof sight of the air inlet aperture and the air inlet aperture ispositioned above the fan.
 2. The blender base of claim 1, wherein thediffuser comprises a curved wall.
 3. The blender base of claim 1,wherein the diffuser comprises a wall comprising at least one corner. 4.The blender base of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises anexhaust aperture.
 5. The blender base of claim 4, wherein the exhaustaperture is out of a line of sight of the fan.
 6. The blender base ofclaim 1, wherein the motor baffle member comprises a body comprising anaperture having a perimeter, wherein the perimeter is positioned aboutthe at least a portion of the motor.
 7. The blender base of claim 6,wherein the body is attached to the housing at a joint.
 8. The blenderbase of claim 1, further comprising a fan chamber disposed in thehousing, wherein the fan is disposed within the fan chamber.
 9. Theblender base of claim 1, wherein the motor operatively drives the fan.10. A blender base, comprising: a housing; a motor disposed within thehousing and comprising a motor bore; a motor baffle member disposedabout at least a portion of the motor; and a fan disposed in an airpassageway within the housing, wherein the motor baffle memberoperatively directs all air from the fan through only the motor bore andout of the housing such that the air from the fan is restricted fromcirculating about the housing.
 11. The blender base of claim 10, whereinthe motor baffle member comprises a body comprising an aperture having aperimeter, wherein the perimeter is positioned about at least a portionof the motor.
 12. The blender base of claim 11, wherein the body isattached to the housing at a joint.
 13. The blender base of claim 10,wherein the housing further comprises a fan chamber; and wherein agasket is positioned between the motor baffle member and the fan. 14.The blender base of claim 13, wherein the gasket dampens vibrationsbetween the motor baffle member and the fan chamber.
 15. The blenderbase of claim 13, wherein the motor baffle member comprises a bodyhaving an aperture, the aperture operatively in a closely fittingengagement with at least a portion of the motor.
 16. The blender base ofclaim 13, wherein the gasket generally seals the fan chamber from otherportions of the housing.
 17. The blender base of claim 10, wherein thehousing further comprises a user interface disposed on a first side ofthe housing.
 18. A blender system, comprising: a blender base comprisinga housing having an air inlet port and defining an air passageway; amotor bore positioned within the housing and a motor disposed within themotor bore; a motor baffle member operatively restricting the airpassageway from circumventing the motor bore; a fan disposed in the airpassageway; and a diffuser disposed between the air inlet port and thefan, wherein the fan operatively pulls air through the diffuser andpushes the air through the motor bore.
 19. The blender system of claim18, wherein the diffuser defines an aperture and is disposed in thehousing, the aperture being disposed generally opposed to the air inletport.
 20. The blender system of claim 18, further comprising a fanchamber housing the fan and a gasket, wherein the gasket dampensvibrations between the motor baffle member and the fan chamber.